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No one really likes to consider the utility bills, but they are faithful to arrive monthly! There are so many ways
and means to save money in this area without really sacrificing much time or effort.
Water Bills In Florida, the water bill is a good portion of the budget for utilities. We conserve our money (and inadvertently natural resources) in the following ways. * Our lawn is incredibly low maintenance. We do not have landscaping that requires watering during the dry season from October through June. While we would like to add some gardening to our schedule when and if time allows, we will do potted plants as opposed to traditional ground planting. * We insert half gallon milk jugs (you can also use two liter soda bottles) in our older toilet tanks to use less water to flush the toilet. This is not necessary in the newer, more efficient toilets that use more pressure and less water to flush. * We do full loads of laundry at all times. This is not difficult in our household as we have six people living here full time. If you are single, or have a much smaller family, you may consider hand washing some articles as opposed to using the washing machine. Electric Bills In this climate (subtropical) the greatest expense one will face is the electric bill to run the air conditioning through the summer. The sun beats relentlessly on the house from noon until five and it does not get any cooler in the evening after the sun goes down. This year we are opting to open all the windows and operate more efficient fans to circulate air through the house. We have repaired screens and figured out the most effective cooling plan. Regardless of the climate you live in, you will want to inspect your windows for heat or cooling loss, condition of the screens, etc. By insulating better or determining what course of action will allow you to avoid cooling your home, you can count on being well rewarded for your efforts. Cooking Expenses There are not many people who use natural gas in Florida, at least not in the area where I reside. Everything is electric. Consider using the microwave whenever possible over the stove, oven or other heat generating appliances. |
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